Marco Silva appointed Everton manager

Everton have named former-Watford boss Marco Silva as their new manager.

The Portuguese coach replaces the outgoing Sam Allardyce who was dismissed from his duties at Goodison Park last month after spending less than six months in charge and despite guiding the Merseyside club to an eight place finish.

Silva had made an impressive start to the 2017-18 Premier League season as Watford manager but the club’s form took a sharp negative turn back in October following rumours that Everton were interested in the manager. He was relieved on his duties at Vicarage Road in mid-January.

Everton have penned the new manager down to a three-year deal. His first business could be to move Wayne Rooney onto DC United or persuade the former-England captain to stay. Rooney has been strongly linked with a move to the Major League Soccer club.

Marco Silva is an excellent tactician but could have a busy summer ahead of him. Everton’s defence were woeful last season and are ageing in the middle with Phil Jagielka 35 years old and Ashley Williams turned 34 in August.

Cenk Tosun looks an excellent January acquisition whom the manager could build his attack around. They already have good support in Gylfi Sigurdsson, Theo Walcott and Yannick Bolasie so the Portuguese coach’s first job is expected to be fixing the defence.